The decision spread before the announcement ever did. That was how things always worked in the palace. Servants moved faster than usual. Orders were repeated twice instead of once. Doors opened and closed more often. Messengers went out in pairs instead of alone. People noticed. They did not know why yet. But they noticed.
At the time of morning, the palace felt more busy than usual. Courtyards were being clean. Decorations were being done. It was very different than usual routine.
Aurelion watched all of it from where he was held. He had been passed from Selene to a maid and back again so many times that he had stopped counting.
"…This feels excessive," he thought.
Selene did not seem to agree. She moved through the palace with an energy that did not fade. Orders came easily to her. Just firm enough that people listened.
"Bring out the long tables," she said. "Not the small ones." Someone nodded and hurried off. "And open the eastern hall," she added after a moment. "The light is better there."
Aurelion looked around as she spoke. "…She's really going all-in," he thought. "…well obviously for me."
It was Afternoon now, they opened the palace gates.Carriages were arriving one by one. They were loaded with gifts and gold. Aristocrats, who were dressed very nicely and neatly came out of them.
Inside the halls, servants received the gifts whenever the guests entered, Boxes, Chests, Wrapped bundles carried by two or three men at a time.
Aurelion saw a few opened briefly before being taken away. "…That's gold," he thought at one point. "…HOLY FRICKING GOLD."
A noblewoman who was standing with an upright posture approached Selene. "Your Majesty," she said, "is it true?"
Selene smiled."It depends," she replied. "Which rumor did you hear first?"
The noblewoman hesitated. "That the prince used magic," she said. "And that he did it effortlessly. "
Selene laughed quietly. "That part is true," she said.
The noblewoman's was shocked a little. Others listened from nearby. They pretended not to.
The hall filled steadily. When all tables got filled, Aurelion could not believe it anymore. There were more people than he had seen before.
"…This is a lot of adults," he thought.
The noise level rose naturally. Too many people and too many conversations. Food arrived in time.
Dishes came in waves. Plates arranged carefully. Bowls set down and adjusted by hand. Steam rose. Smells mixed together.
Aurelion noticed people eating more than usual.
"…They're nervous," he thought. "…Or excited. Maybe both."
At the far end of the hall, Aurex stood. He had not spoken much since morning. He had watched, listened, nodded when needed. Now he stepped forward.
The room did not fall silent immediately. It took a few seconds. Aurelion watched it all happen.
People noticed the movement. Voices lowered. Chairs stopped scraping. Some were not paying attention at all.
Finally, Aurex spoke.
"Today," he said, "is not about politics." That part got huge attention. " Not a treaty, or a declaration." he continued.
Aurelion felt Selene shift slightly, holding him higher. "…He's going for the typical Principal's speech. ," Aurelion thought.
Aurex looked out across the hall. His gaze moved slowly, not lingering on anyone in particular.
"This is a celebration," he said. "Because my son has shown us something rare." A pause. "That is why we celebrate carefully." Selene smiled.
"And we celebrate grandly today," Aurex added. He turned slightly so more of the hall could see Aurelion.
"My son," he said, "is the Crown Prince of this Empire. And the Empire shall rejoice."
Aurelion felt Selene's arm tighten.
"…He's proud," he thought. "…He really is."
Aurex raised his voice.
"Let it be known," he said, "that today, the Evergold Empire celebrates its future."
Then, after a brief pause, he added,
"And let the entire SALAMANDER CONTINENT rejoice with us."
The room reacted. Some nobles stood. Some raised cups. Some nodded, serious and thoughtful. Then applause started.
Aurelion blinked. "…They're clapping," he thought. "…For a baby." in a mocking tone.
Outside the palace, the sound carried. Not the applause itself, but the movement that followed. Messengers were already running. By evening, the whole city knew.
The palace was celebrating. And when the palace celebrated, it meant something good and note worthy had happened.
In the streets, people gathered near fountains and food stalls. Merchants talked while pretending not to. Guards answered questions with vague smiles.
"Heard the prince did something strange," one man said. "Strange how?" another asked.
"They say he used magic," the first replied. A woman nearby laughed. "That's impossible," she said. "He's not even a year old."
"Still," someone else added, "the palace opened all its halls." That made people pause.
"…That doesn't happen for nothing," another said. Rumors spread like that.
Back inside, gifts continued to arrive. A nobleman with a heavy ring bowed deeply.
"A token for His Royal Highness," he said. "Nothing extravagant." The box took two servants to carry. Selene thanked him politely.
Another noble presented a book. "For the future," he said, glancing at Aurelion. "When His Highness is older."
Aurelion stared at it. "…I have spent my whole life studying, couldn't you simply bring chocolates n stuff"
Duke Lunaris moved through the room easily, speaking with guests, accepting congratulations on Selene's behalf as much as his own.
"You look pleased," someone remarked. He shrugged lightly. "I am, And curious too. "
As the night deepened, the tone shifted. The noise softened. Laughter became slower. People leaned back in their chairs.
Aurelion felt tired. "…This body really has limits," he thought. "What a shitty stamina it had... "
Selene noticed immediately. She adjusted her grip and stepped away from the crowd, trying to find a quieter corner.
"Alright," she added. "That's enough for today." She rocked him gently.
Aurelion's eyes fluttered. "…Huh, did she read my mind or something?" He heard Aurex speaking again in the background, quieter now.
"They will talk about this for years," Aurex said. Selene smiled without looking at him. "They should," she replied. "He deserves it."
Aurelion drifted in and out of sleep as the celebration continued around him.
Music played somewhere. People laughed too loudly. A glass shattered, followed by apologies.
"…This world feels real," he thought. "…a little familiar too." after some thinking.
"WAIT, THE SALAMANDER CONTINENT?" His eyes were full of sleep and the last thing he heard was Selene's voice.
"My little moon," she whispered. "Sleep well."
And for the first time since waking up in this life, Aurelion slept without thinking.
[To be Continued]